“I think it’s really important that we dominate New York. If there’s a good player in New York City, he needs to come to St. John’s, if he wants to play the best basketball.” — Chris Mullin at his introductory press conference on April 1.

Shamorie Ponds was listening.

The 6-foot-1 Ponds, a four-star top-50 prospect from Thomas Jefferson High in Brooklyn, verbally committed to St. John’s during a Tuesday afternoon press conference, picking the Red Storm over Providence and Creighton, and becoming the first top local player to join Mullin’s program.

“I guess I can set an example,” he said. “This is basically a dream come true. I always wanted to stay home, play in front of my family.”

Arizona recently expressed interest and Ponds stockpiled offers from the likes of Minnesota, Miami, South Carolina, Seton Hall and Oklahoma. But his hometown school won out.

“They love me here,” Ponds said. “There’s no arena like Madison Square Garden. [Mullin] said, ‘If you put on a show there, you can write your own ticket.’”

Ponds, a smooth southpaw with a sweet 3-point stroke, is the highest-rated local player to pick St. John’s since Maurice Harkless committed to St. John’s under former coach Steve Lavin in August 2011. Ponds led Jefferson to the city finals two years ago and the semifinals last year, when he averaged 25 points per game, 8.6 rebounds and 5.7 assists.

Ponds was viewed for weeks as seriously leaning toward St. John’s. He was telling people close to him he planned to join Mullin’s program, though members of his family were concerned that staying local might hinder his growth and development.

Ponds, a low-maintenance kid who would prefer to take extra jump shots than spend time on social media, said he made up his mind last week. But his dad, Shawn, said the entire family — which was split between his son staying home and going away — didn’t come to an agreement until Monday. Everyone agreed, however, that Mullin was the deciding factor.

“He’s from here and he made it from here,” Shawn Ponds said. “And Shamorie would like to make it from here, too.”

Jefferson coach Lawrence Pollard knew the senior would end up at St. John’s on the first day of school, when Mullin paid him a visit. There was a bond between the two Brooklyn natives, both southpaws, which Pollard didn’t see with any other coaches.

“I seen that glow on his face,” Pollards said, referring to Ponds. “He lit up like a Christmas tree.”

Providence was believed to have had made inroads in the past few weeks, after hosting Ponds on an official visit and visiting him at his home. The Friars were offering Ponds the opportunity to start immediately at point guard, replacing likely lottery pick Kris Dunn.

At St. John’s, Ponds likely will begin by coming off the bench behind current freshmen guards Federico Mussini and Marcus LoVett Jr.

St. John’s hopes this is only the beginning of a run of landing top local talent. The Red Storm hosted top junior college wing Bashir Ahmed of The Bronx this weekend, is in the mix for consensus five-star guard Rawle Alkins of Brooklyn (Ponds said he’s already working on Alkins) and is heavily recruiting several highly ranked juniors from the area as well.

“It’s big for perception,” a Division I coach with local ties said. “[Ponds is] a four-star local kid they kept home. St. John’s hasn’t been able to keep two-star kids at home recently.